TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) welcomed a high-level U.S. congressional delegation led by Representative Ami Bera at the Presidential Office on Monday (June 16), where he unveiled ambitious plans to increase the island's defense spending to more than 3% of its gross domestic product through a special budget allocation this year. During the meeting, President Lai articulated his vision for a strategic evolution in Taiwan-U.S. security partnerships, emphasizing a shift from Taiwan's traditional role as a purchaser of American military equipment to a new era of collaborative weapons production and joint defense technology development between the two democracies.
In his remarks to the American lawmakers, President Lai conveyed deep appreciation for the consistent bipartisan backing Taiwan receives from both chambers of the U.S. Congress, describing this cross-party support as an essential catalyst for strengthening the unofficial but robust relationship between Taipei and Washington. The Taiwanese leader specifically acknowledged the delegation members' personal efforts in advocating for Taiwan's interests in various congressional forums and initiatives. He reaffirmed Taiwan's steadfast commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting how government agencies and private enterprises have worked in tandem over the previous year to enhance the island's overall defense resilience and accelerate critical military modernization reforms.
During the exchange, President Lai referenced a recent diplomatic mission to the United States, noting that Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Economic Affairs Minister J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) had traveled to Texas in May to observe firsthand the growing technological partnership between Taiwan and the United States in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. Looking ahead, the president outlined his administration's economic priorities, pledging to further enhance cross-Pacific investment opportunities and industrial collaboration while expressing determination to finalize a long-awaited agreement addressing double taxation issues between the two economies before the end of the year.
In response, Representative Bera emphasized the strategic significance of his delegation's visit to Taiwan at a time when multiple conflicts threaten global stability, calling for stronger solidarity among democratic nations to safeguard freedom and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The California congressman, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, pointed out a personal connection with President Lai that transcends politics — both men trained as medical doctors before entering public service and share a fundamental commitment to policies promoting peaceful development and prosperity for their respective constituents. ◼